It's a Love Story

Jon put his hand gently on her shoulder, ignoring the attention on them. "Hey, you okay?" he asked softly, bending slightly to look into her face.

She nodded, still hiding her face. Tears were on her cheeks, though her shoulders didn't shake. You wouldn't know she was crying until you saw her face.

"Are you sure? Come on, looks like you need to leave." he said, wrapping his arm over her shoulders. He wasn't much scared of talking to the girl anymore, at least not right now. He was just trying to protect her.

"Will you take me home... And my bike," she asked quietly. She didn't want to ride home alone, not now. Not this late at night.

"Yes, of course." he said, nodding. "Stay here for a moment though, I need to tell me sister's I'm leaving." he said, rubbing her arm before going to Roman. "I'm going to take Ren home. She's scared." he said to his little sister, smiling slightly. "Don't wait up."

Roman smiled and nodded. "Alright. I'll tell Rosie whenever she pulls away from Aiden..."

Jon chuckled and kissed her cheek before going back to Ren, slipping her hand into his so she wouldn't feel so scared. "Where's your bike?"

She nodded and waited in the corner, trying to hide from everyone. Why was he helping her, though? He was so nice compared to all the other 'popular kids'.

"Ren. Where's your bike?" he asked.

Instead of talking, she led him outside and walked to her bike, which was now spray-painted and had one of the wheels missing.

Rose curiously followed her brother outside. "Jon, what's going on? What happened to that bike?"

"Hey... Roman said she was going to tell you..." he said, confused.

"I didn't get the chance. She saw you leave and I couldn't catch up to her." Roman said coming from behind.

Jon sighed and looked at Ren. "I'll buy you a new bike." he said softly.

She shook her head. "All I need is a wheel and paint," she murmured, unlocking the chain. "Why do you want to help me so badly," she asked Jon, looking up at him.

"Because you don't deserve this." he replied softly.

"Why do you care," she asked, looking down at her bike. "Your friends did this. You let it happen."

"Maybe so, but I want to fix it." he said softly.

"Why? So your friends can mess it up and laugh at me again," she asked bitterly. "I don't understand why everyone picks on me. I'm no different than anyone." She looked at him strait in the eye. "Tell me. Why do they pick on me?"

"Because you're different. Because you can cry easily. And just because I'm popular doesn't mean I hang out with the guys who did this." he said. "Please, let me help."

"Fine. Take me home. Please," she added the last word quietly, not wanting to sound too rude.

He nodded. "Alright." He said, picking up the bike. For someone who drew all the time, he was still ripped.

Roman smiled at them before going back inside, dragging Rose with her.

She followed him to his car, surprised he could lift her bike so easily.

He unlocked his truck and then opened the back, sliding the bike into the bed. Then he went around, opening the passenger seat for her.

She climbed up into his truck and sat down in the big seat, putting her seat belt on.

Jon got in and started the car, driving away from the party. "So, uhm, I was actually hoping to ask you out. I mean, before that guy started picking on you."

She looked at him, staring in shock. "What'd you say," she asked, not sure if she heard him right.

"I want to ask you out... but I was to scared to do so." he said softly.

"You..." she sat back in her seat, staring at the dashboard. "You like me...? Honestly..?"

He nodded. "Yes, I do."